India will defend their title in men’s cricket at the Asian Games against Afghanistan on September 28. Rain cancelled Japan‘s match against Nepal, eliminating the hosts and advancing Nepal and Afghanistan to the quarterfinals.
According to Cricbuzz, Nepal won Group A by three points and will face Sri Lanka on September 29. Japan finished with a single point.
Nepal scored 149 for four in a 15-over match at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin. Sundeep Jora batted unbeaten for 57, while Lokesh Bam struck 52 not out from 22 balls before the match was called off due to rain.
What next for India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh
India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh were seeded directly to the quarterfinals. The remaining teams had to compete for four spots, making India’s first match an immediate knockout test.
Japan’s exit comes just a few days after pushing India to the final ball in a separate, rain-shortened international on September 22. In that five-over match, India scored 32 for four and won by two runs, with Axar Patel defending eight in the final over, according to the ICC.
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That narrow escape reminds India of how quickly shortened matches can become uncomfortable. Their next task is clear: defeat Afghanistan to keep their gold-medal defence alive.
